Geranium plant named `BFP-484 White`

ABSTRACT

The new and distinct Pelargonium×hortorum cultivar named `BFP-484 White` is provided. This new Zonal Geranium was the result of a controlled breeding program wherein a plant designated 995B-2 (non-patented in the United States) was pollinated by the `Jazz` cultivar (non-patented in the United States). The new cultivar forms attractive pure white florets. Medium green foliage is well retained during shipment. The growth habit is vigorous self-branching and does not require the use of a growth regulator.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention comprises a new and distinct Geranium cultivar,botanically known as Pelargonium×hortorum Bailey, and hereinafter isreferred to by the cultivar name `BFP-484 White`.

The new cultivar is a product of a planned breeding program which hadthe objective of the creation of a Geranium cultivar that exhibitsuniform flowers, medium green foliage, a vigorous self-branching growthhabit that requires no growth regulator, a propensity for rapid rooting,and stable foliage coloration during shipment.

The breeding program that resulted in the production of the new cultivarof the present invention was carried out in a controlled environmentduring 1990 at Arroyo Grande, Calif., U.S.A. The female parent (i.e.,seed parent) was a plant designated 955B-2 (non-patented in the UnitedStates) which exhibits semi-double pink florets with dark green foliage.The male parent (i.e., pollen parent) was the `Jazz` cultivar(non-patented in the United States) which exhibits semi-doublemelon-colored florets with medium green foliage. The parentage of thenew `BFP-484 White` cultivar can be summarized as follows:

    955B-2×`Jazz`.

`BFP-48 White` was discovered and selected during 1990 as a highylydistinctive flowering plant from among the progeny of the stated crossat Arroyo Grande, Calif., U.S.A. This plant was initially designatedBFP-484.

It was found that the new cultivar of the present invention:

(a) exhibits attractive semi-double pure white florets,

(b) forms attractive medium green foliage with slight zonation, and

(c) exhibits a vigorous self-branching growth habit in the absence of agrowth regulator.

After senescence the flowers abscice and drop. To date, observations ofthe new `BFP-484 White` cultivar have not demonstrated resistance toBotrytis or any other specific disease.

The first act of asexual reproduction of `BFP-484 White` cultivar wasaccomplished when vegetative cuttings were taken from the initialselection in a controlled environment at Arroyo Grande, Calif., U.S.A bya technician working under the direction and supervision of theoriginator of the new cultivar. Horticultural examination of plantsresulting from such asexual propagation during 1991 has demonstratedthat the combination of unique characteristics as herein described forthe `BFP-484 White` cultivar is fixed and is retained through successivegenerations of such asexual reproduction.

The new `BFP-484 White` cultivar has not been observed under allpossible environmental conditions. Accordingly, the described phenotypemay vary somewhat with variations in the environment, such astemperature, light intensity, and day length.

Of the many commercial cultivars, the `BSR-177 White` cultivar (U.S.Plant Pat. No. 8,284) is considered to be the most similar to the newcultivar of the present invention. The `BSR-177 White` cultivar ismarketed under the Showcase White trademark. When the new cultivar ofthe present invention is compared to the `BSR-177 White` cultivar, it isfound that the new `BFP-484 White` cultivar exhibits purer whitenon-blushing florets vs. florets that include a blush of light pinkunder cool growing conditions, a more vigorous growth habit wherein theheight commonly is approximately 22 to 24.5 cm. vs. approximately 16 to19.5 cm., and a larger umbel diameter commonly of approximately 9 to 11cm. vs. approximately 9 to 9.4 cm.

The new cultivar of the present invention is being marketed under theDesigner trademark.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE PHOTOGRAPH

The accompanying photograph shows the new `BFP-484 White` cultivar withcolors being as nearly true as it is reasonably possible to make thesame in a color illustration of this character. The plant was beinggrown in a greenhouse at West Chicago, Ill., U.S.A. The generalappearance of the overall plant including the flower and foliagecharacteristics is illustrated.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The following observations, measurements and comparisons describe plantsgrown in greenhouses located at West Chicago, Ill., U.S.A., underconditions which approximate those generally used in commercialpractice. In the following description, color references are made to theR.H.S. Colour Chart of The Royal Horticultural Society, London, England.The color values were determined on September 22nd, under natural lightconditions of 200 footcandles.

Classification:

Botanical.--Pelargonium×hortorum Bailey, cv. `BFP-484 White`.

Commercial.--Zonal Geranium.

Inflorescence

A. Umbel:

Average diameter.--Approximately 9 to 11 cm. compared to approximately 9to 9.4 cm. for the `BSR-177 White`.

Average depth.--Approximately 5.5 to 8 cm. compared to approximately 5to 6 cm. for the `BSR-177 White` cultivar.

Peduncle length.--Approximately 15 to 17 cm. compared to approximately11 to 13 cm. for the `BSR-177 White` cultivar.

Pedicel length.--Approximately 3.5 to 4 cm. compared to approximately3.4 to 4 cm. for the `BSR-177 White` cultivar.

Number of umbels plant.--When grown in a 10 cm. pot at 9 weeks after thesticking of a rooted cutting, there commonly are approximately 3 to 4umbels per plant. The `BSR-177 White` cultivar also commonly formsapproximately the same number of umbels per plant .

Number of florets/umbel.--When grown in 10 cm. pots at 9 weeks,approximately 22 to 29 florets per umbel commonly are formed. Thiscompares to approximately 25 to 26 florets per umbel for the `BSR-177White` cultivar under the same growing conditions.

B. Corolla:

Buds.--Elliptical to round in configuration, initially light green andchanging to pure white at the time of opening, and approximately 9 to 10mm. in length and approximately 6 to 6.5 mm. in width.

Pedicels.--Commonly approximately 3.5 to 4 cm. in length and curvedwhich commonly causes the buds to point substantially downward (asillustrated).

Average diameter.--Approximately 4.5 to 4.8 cm. compared toapproximately 4.9 to 5 cm. for the `BSR-177 White` cultivar.

Form.--Both the `BFP-484 White` cultivar and the `BSR-177 White`cultivar are semi-double commonly with at least one petaloid.

Petals.--Spatulate shaped, satiny and smooth. Commonly approximately 7to 9 petals are present per floret. This compares to approximately 5 to6 petals per floret for the `BSR-177 White` cultivar.

Number of petaloids.--Commonly forms approximately 1 to 4 petaloids perfloret whereas the `BSR-177 White` cultivar occasionally forms onlyabout 1 petaloid per floret.

Color.--General tonality from a distance of three meters: White.Adaxial: White Group 155D for both the `BFP-484 White` cultivar and the`BSR-177 White` cultivar. Abaxial: White Group 155D for both the`BFP-484 White` cultivar and the `BSR-177 White` cultivar. However,unlike the `BFP-484 White` cultivar, the florets of the `BSR-177 White`cultivar sometimes exhibit a tendency to assume a light pink blush whencooler growing conditions are experienced.

C. Reproductive organs:

Androecium.--The anthers are commonly approximately 1.5 to 2 mm. inlength. The pollen color is Orange Group 28B for the `BFP-484 White`cultivar and Orange Group 25A for the `BSR-177 White` cultivar. Thefilaments are approximately 6 to 7 mm. in length.

Gynoecium.--The pistil length commonly is approximately 12 mm. There isa single stigma which commonly has a length of approximately 6 mm. whichcommonly branches into 5 parts, and the style length is approximately 4mm.

Fertility.--Commonly does not produce fruits in the absence ofmechanical fertilization.

D. Spring flowering response period: Approximately 6 to 7 weeks fromrooted cuttings under standard greenhouse conditions.

E. Outdoor flower production: Freely flowering under outdoor growingcondiitons with substantially continuous blooming.

F. Durability: Ships well.

Plant

A. Foliage: Medium green with slight zonation. The leaves are thick andmore pubescent than those of the `BSR-177 White` cultivar. The rib andvenation is palmate.

Form.--Reniform, with a cordate base.

Margin.--Bi-crenate and somewhat undulate.

Color.--Adaxial: Yellow-Green Group 146B with an outer edge ofYellow-Green Group 146A. This compares to Yellow-Green Group 146B forthe `BSR-177 White` cultivar. Abaxial: Yellow-Green Group 147B. Thiscompares to Yellow-Green Group 146C for the `BSR-177 White` cultivar.

Size.--Approximately 9 to 9.7 cm. in width at the widest point andapproximately 7 to 8 cm. in length. This compares to approximately 9 to9.5 cm in width at the widest point and approximately 7.8 to 8.9 cm. inlength for the `BSR-177 White` cultivar.

Petioles.--Commonly approximately 3.1 to 6 cm. in length.

B. General appearance and form:

Internode length.--Commonly varies from approximately 0.3 to 0.6 cm.This compares to approximately 1.4 to 2 cm. for the `BSR-177 White`cultivar.

Branching pattern.--Freely basal branching. No pinching is required toobtain self-branching. A self-branching growth habit is observed in theabsence of a growth regulator.

Height.--Approximately 22 to 24.5 cm. above a 10 cm. pot at 9 weeksunder standard greenhouse conditions. This compares to approximately 16to 19.5 cm. for the `BSR-177 White` cultivar.

I claim:
 1. A new and distinct cultivar of Geranium plant named `BFP-484White`, substantially as herein shown and described, which:(a) exhibitsattractive semi-double pure white florets, (b) forms attractive mediumgreen foliage with slight zonation, and (c) exhibits a vigorousself-branching growth habit in the absence of a growth regulator.